November 22, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was Christ the King Sunday on the ancient Christian calendar, and this Thursday is the national holiday of Thanksgiving. Next Sunday begins a new year on the Christian calendar: the First Sunday of Advent. Usually at Paxton Methodist, Advent also features a Christmas program and dinner for the community. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, we have canceled our 2020 Christmas program.
All this month we are collecting beans and rice for Community Christian Services. In December we will collect cans of soup. Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship, and we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. We want to be as safe as we can. Our music this morning was “I’ll Fly Away,” a toe-tapping version by Alan Jackson, and the beautiful hymn, “This Is My Song,” presented by Joan Baez. The second song is also called “Finlandia,” the national anthem of Finland. We wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving—and to Larry, a happy birthday on the same day.
On Saturday afternoon we had our Charge Conference with our district superintendent, Dr. White. Previously, at Paxton Methodist’s Church Conference, we approved all the Charge Conference reports, including next year’s apportionments, the 2021 budget, and support and salary for the pastor. Dr. White shared a very personal story in his devotional. Being with Dr. White was like renewing an old friendship. We certainly appreciate him coming to Paxton Methodist, as we are rather tech-averse.
Our Sunday School lesson scripture came from Revelation 4: 1-11. John’s strange vision of the divine realm is very fanciful and kind of scary to us. But it was a book to reassure Jesus people that God rules from on high and was worthy of praise. Our author stated that misunderstanding Revelation has led to spiritual sickness, bizarre cults, political missteps, and environmental carelessness. How very sad but true.
The Gospel lesson, Mark 25: 31-46, was about judgment—separating the goats from the sheep. In Jesus’ story the goats are the bad guys, and the sheep are the good guys. And what are people going to be judged on? How they treat others—especially the least in this world. This is a really radical idea but Jesus very clearly states this twice—in a positive way and a negative way. This story makes North American Christians very uncomfortable, but its meaning is plain.
Whoever you are, in whatever faith you were born, whatever creed you profess; if you come to this house to find God you are welcome here. Paxton United Methodist Church is an inviting church that takes to heart the idea of “Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds.” Worship begins at 10:00. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist, you can send your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
